If you knew an individual was in despair, and you knew everything you said to this person would be detrimental for his well-being and safety, how careful would you be? How do you know the person you encounter is not in despair? Your rejection and mistreatment can be one of the many things that causes him to give up on life. Therefore, think before acting, and be moved by compassion, not judgment or anger. Danny G.
True Meaning of Unwavering Faith
What is unwavering faith? Is it never doubting? Is it never feeling fear? Is it always being steadfast in the face of adversity or opposition? We know that’s not the case, as there are many faithful individuals who achieved great things, yet they still felt fearful when they faced adversities or opposition.
Some of the greatest masters that lived on this planet felt doubt and fear, and they weren’t always steadfast, but they prospered in the end. They prospered because they persevered despite their doubts or fears and they didn’t let the doubts or fears consume them. They kept their vision in front of them and they kept on declaring their victory despite their uncertainties.
Courage or bravery is not the absence of doubts or fears, it’s persevering despite doubts, or fears. It’s affirming and speaking about the desired outcome despite everything pointing us in the opposite direction. It’s taking bold action steps regardless of the discomfort we feel.
We’re human beings and it’s completely normal to feel doubt and fear, the only time it becomes a problem is when we give in. If you feel doubtful, fearful, or insecure, and you give in by constantly speaking about your doubts, fears or insecurities, you lost the battle and you move towards whatever you’re thinking about or speaking about.
When you’re tempted to give in, affirm and speak the opposite of your negative thoughts and declare what you want to attract in your life. Speak the opposite of your negative feelings even if you don’t feel it at first, sooner or later you will begin to receive it in your being, hence, you will attract it in your life.
The law works to our advantage because if we continue to think and speak negatively, we will become depressed and we will feel inadequate. The law works as a reminder to get us back on course so we don’t live in fear or pessimism.
Can you imagine a world where people would get what they want despite them never believing in themselves and despite them being pessimistic and fearful about everything? Even if they get what they want, they wouldn’t be happy, and there would be no point in achieving anything. What good is there in achieving our goals and dreams, if we feel inadequate and ungrateful about our achievements, and life.
Every great teacher that ever lived will say the same, “the true definition of unwavering faith is not the absence of fears and doubts, it’s persevering and it’s focusing on the solution rather than the adversity or opposition.”
If you’re feeling fearful and you can’t shake it off, just know you haven’t lost the battle yet. Start focusing on your desired result, and keep on declaring your end result despite fears or doubts.
When you’re steadfast and you persevere despite fears or opposition, you’re one step closer to see your dream or goal come to fruition.
Letting Peace be the Empire
There’s no right or wrong decision, as life is a learning game to discover ourselves and experience the world through all forms of expressions. The only wrong choice would be not learning from our mistakes and repeating the same mistakes again and again.
However, actions have pros and cons, benefits and consequences. When we don’t consider the benefits and consequences of our choices, we act on impulse and we end up with a life we don’t want and many troubles.
Impulse doesn’t consider the benefits in the decision, it only seeks to satisfy this present moment. Impulse doesn’t foresee the consequences, it only seeks to satisfy this present moment.
When we live carefree, not paying any attention to our choices, years down the road or perhaps sooner, we end up with a life we don’t want. When we assess our options, and we choose what resonates with our inner self and not merely our senses, we feel inner peace and joy.
If we let inner peace and joy guide us to our ideal choices, we will not be disappointed. What other guidance do we have that we can depend on? Have you ever had a choice to make and the logical choice just didn’t feel right? You had two options and one choice made complete logical sense, but you felt uneasy about it. The other option didn’t make logical sense, however, you felt peace about it. How many times do we choose the logical or expected choice given the circumstances, and we end up regretting it? Then we say I should have went with my gut.
There’s a reason why all the masters say, let peace be your empire, and if you don’t feel peace about it, don’t act on it. Same applies if you feel peace about your decision but it doesn’t seem logical, act on it.
How many great achievers were told not to pursue their passion and to give up, and they were constantly reminded they didn’t have what it takes. How many great achievers faced all types of adversities and failure, yet they prospered in the end. They prospered because they believed in themselves and they knew they could do it. If they would have given up because of failure, criticism or adversities, they would have never fulfilled their dream.
The criticism and obstacles didn’t keep them down, as they listened to their inner guidance and wisdom. They chose the path that brought them joy despite everyone telling them it wasn’t logical or worthwhile.
Most people have their own expectations of logic and conformity for your life. They try to push their beliefs and expectations on you because in their mind, the choice or dream doesn’t seem plausible. Out of compassion, they want what’s best for you, so they try to persuade you. They think they have your best interest at heart, however, only you know what’s best for you.
You know what brings joy, inner peace, and happiness. You know what you’re passionate about. You know what feels right and what doesn’t. Choose what brings inner peace and joy, don’t conform to others’ expectations of you.
The best approach for decision making is to contemplate our actions and let peace be our empire. It’s by trusting our inner guidance and knowing peace will not lead us off course.
Miracles and Faith
For every situation despite the circumstances, there is always a possibility for a miracle. The situation can turn out for good or bad depending on our perspective. The only time it can turn into something good is by changing our lenses. It’s by believing in miracles and knowing faith can overcome all odds.
Without a belief in miracles or faith, we can’t accept and allow them to manifest despite its good chances and probability. Our mind cannot conjure a solution nor can we allow a solution if our mind is focused only on the problem, and all the reasons for its failure.
Neither would we notice the solution if it would appear, and neither would we take the opportunity to act on the solution, if we’re focused only on the problem. Every opportunity or challenge has the potential to change in our favour, or it has the potential to create the worst case scenario, as it’s our thinking that directs its course.
The only common attribute in people who experience miracles is their belief in the possibility or probability of miracles. It’s even more powerful when we say I know for certain I will get my miracle, even if the facts tell us otherwise.
At times, everything and everyone points us towards being logical and factual, despite the many who prevailed. We have all the evidence in front of us that tell us miracles happen, and we have all the evidence in front of us saying faith can conquer anything. Yet we need to be factual or logical to understand a concept, so we ask ourselves too many questions, which works to our disadvantage.
How many things in this world are not factual or logical? Is science the only factor in determining an outcome? We all know science and evolution has many question marks and they don’t have all the answers.
There’s no scientific proof that we have an invisible force that created the universe and that’s causing it to expand furthermore. There’s no scientific proof that God created you and he lives inside you. Ask yourself, if he created you, wouldn’t he know the solution? If he lives inside you, then you’re aware you have the power that created the universe inside you, and therefore, you know you can prevail.
We must be persistent in believing in miracles and faith for everything will point us towards reality which says many people never see them through. The only reason they don’t see them through is because they denied the existence of miracles or they gave up along the trail.
When we say miracles happen every day, and faith can overcome all odds, we allow what seemed impossible at first to turn into possibility or probability. In time, miracles and faith can turn into certainty, and when it does, nothing can stop its course.
Seeking Wisdom and Thriving
What is wisdom? Wisdom is a constant determination to grow as a person, spiritually, mentally and emotionally. Being wise is seeking the best choice at this present time, and it’s being aware we have control over our life, through thought, word and action. The only control we’ll ever have is through thought, word and action, and by constantly reminding ourselves to seek wisdom and ultimately the best pathway for our lives.
Seeking wisdom is to contemplate our choices, the pros and cons, and to seek what is best for our soul and overall well-being. When contemplating our choices we should assess whether we’re making this choice to satisfy our urges and impulses, or if we’re seeking the choices that are ultimately for our well-being. The opposite of wisdom is acting on urges and impulses which neglects contemplation, reflection, and the outcome of a decision.
When satisfying only our urges, or impulses, we don’t reflect whether these choices are for our own good, and for the well-being of everyone involved. Urges and impulses without contemplation result in poor choices that may feel good for the moment, but they end up hurting us more in the long-term.
Being angry and bitter may feel good for the moment, however, over the long-term anger and bitterness hurts us more and it gives us a sour outlook on life. Complaining about our lives and being pessimistic never brings happiness or gratitude, and when we’re in this space, we don’t appreciate the people in our lives along with everything in front of us.
Wisdom is seeking what resonates with our soul, not merely our physical senses. Seeking our soul is seeking our spiritual evolution, and it’s seeking what brings lasting joy and happiness. It’s seeking what brings inner peace, and gratitude, not merely satisfying an urge or impulse which only last momentarily.
Impulses are action without contemplation, and action without contemplation doesn’t consider the possible outcomes in a decision. Action without contemplation doesn’t seek what brings joy and happiness in the future, it only seeks this present moment.
When we make choices based only on this moment, we neglect the future in front of us. When we smoke a cigarette, we don’t consider the fact that if continued, we risk a host of health issues along with a decreased life expectancy.
What happens when everyone in the room is doing drugs, and we feel awkward, so we experiment? One time turns into two times, then we get addicted to the feeling and then our life spirals out of control.
What happens when you say I feel so stressed, I need a drink? Sooner or later every time you feel stress you revert to alcohol to reduce stress, rather than dealing with your stress the right way, through your thoughts.
Contemplation is wisdom, and assessing the options is wisdom. Seeking inner peace and lasting joy is the right pathway. When we seek what brings inner peace and lasting joy, we don’t get lost in the moment with something pointless that will bring more harm than good. Then in 20 years from now we will thank the day we sought wisdom rather than acting on impulses without contemplation.
Reconnecting With You
The best approach to reconnect with our soul and have inner peace in the chaos of today is to cut out distractions. When we are focused merely on the physical world, we have all types of distractions that steer us away from our inner guidance, and inner peace.
We must learn to be of the world but not let people conform us to their beliefs and expectations. The world can be a noisy place if we’re paying attention to everything and everyone but ourselves. The problem begins when we get too focused on this external reality and forget our true purpose which is our spiritual evolution.
When we focus too much on the external, we get distracted from our beliefs and expectations which ultimately defines who we are. Then we allow the world to conform us to their ideal of normalcy or reality.
Without realizing our change of perception, we allow people to change our beliefs and expectations to thoughts of pessimism, bitterness, and vulnerability, and then we call these thoughts reality. We also allow people to tell us what we can or cannot do, and we focus so much on their perspective that we forget our own power.
Words are powerful and we’re consistently hearing words every day, and the more we hear them, the more we contemplate them, and the more we contemplate them, we create that reality.
We get accustomed to other beliefs and expectations which steers us away from our inner guidance, and in some cases it steers us away from healing. The universe is a creation by God and humanity and your life is a creation by your past thoughts, words and actions. What we see in our individual life is a reality created by ourselves and our environment, and whomever were a part of our lives.
The problem begins when we get sidetracked with information that doesn’t agree with our inner self and we allow this information to take root. We get distracted from our soul’s purpose and we allow this distraction to change us into someone we’re not.
We need to accept everyone’s beliefs and expectations while not allowing them to steer us off course and away from our destiny. We should eliminate all beliefs and expectations that don’t agree with our higher self, and acknowledge the beliefs and expectations which are aligned with our source and creator God.
The best approach to reconnecting with you is to spend time every day without any distractions and focus on you and God. Five, ten or fifteen minutes may be enough to give you inner peace and focus while not allowing the world to change you into someone you’re not.
Our Concept of God
What are your beliefs about God, the universe and the universal laws that govern humanity? Do you believe God is a vengeful God who punishes for his will to be done? A loving father who considers himself a spirit of love, compassion, and union wouldn’t call himself vengeful. Nor would he want us to create enormous pressure on ourselves with an unending demand to be perfect.
Some of us believe God is never satisfied with our current progress or life. We create a reality in our mind about the concept of God, which contradicts everything he is. What kind of situations or people would you attract considering beliefs ultimately create our reality?
God loves you as you are, because he created you as you are and he knew every mistake you would make in this lifetime. You don’t have to achieve perfection in order to have his blessings and approval, as we are all struggling with something.
Most of our beliefs stem from our earliest ancestors, and great teachers thousands of years ago. They’re great teachers, and they always will be, however, is the reality they faced over two thousand years ago our reality today?
I’m not denying the fact that the teachings are still insightful today and they can still be used to gain wisdom and improve our everyday living. The problem begins when we base everything on yesterday, and we don’t consider the fact that we have as many great teachers today as our earliest ancestors. Let’s accept the world is always changing and improving and that the great teachers of today are just as good as our earliest ancestors.
We also tell ourselves God must be feared, and we need this fear to coerce us into right doing. How about doing right because we want to improve our lives and improve humanity? We can do right because we know actions have consequences and we care about our well-being and the well-being of others. We can do right because we love God, and we know he has our best interest at heart, not because we fear God or the devil. We tell ourselves, if we die in sin, we must endure hell. God wouldn’t create you as you are and expect nothing but perfection.
If you choose to see God as he truly is, you will be motivated by love and not fear. You will be motivated because it’s the best choice, and not because of your fear of punishment or disapproval.
Acceptance
Why do we prejudge an individual based on outward appearance? We observe someone who is socially awkward or unique in one way or a homeless man, and immediately we prejudge them without even recognizing we do so. We think we know who they are with a quick observation or conversation. Can we truly know someone based on first impressions?
Can you determine the history of an individual based on first impressions? Can you determine an individual’s problems and insecurities based on first impressions? Can you determine arrogance by simply observing, or can you read between the lines and figure out shyness?
Some of us are intuitive and better at reading people or situations, however, we cannot know someone from a simple observation or conversation. If you knew the story behind the demeanour, or attitude, would you still judge?
In other words, would you mock or insult an individual’s awkwardness, if you knew he had traumatic brain damage or a serious brain disease? Would you mock or insult an individual because of his shuffling walk if you knew he suffered from a serious debilitating condition?
Most people wouldn’t be so cruel if they understood the origin of the problem and the traumatic condition. That is called compassion. The reason you understand and feel compassion towards your loved ones, is because you know their story. Everyone else has a story, you’re simply looking at the surface and not at the root of the identity.
Let’s say you had a loved one who had become bitter and resentful towards others, however, you understood him and witnessed his caring personality. You knew his demeanour was the result of being severely mistreated and you knew he had all types of tribulations in his life. Would you still see him as a good-hearted individual, because you understand the reason for his demeanour? Think of a bystander who doesn’t know him personally, but recognizes his bitter personality. Can we agree that most bystanders under these circumstances would prejudge?
Every person you meet has a reason for who they are today. We may not understand them, but if we can understand our loved ones, we can make an effort to understand every other person as well. Using our past or challenges to be bitter or cruel shouldn’t be an excuse, however, we should acknowledge the fact that some people aren’t as fortunate as us.
We look at others and contemplate in our minds whether we should give them any of our time. If our favourite musician or favourite actor was in front of us, we’d give them our undivided attention. What if a homeless man was standing before us? Who needs acceptance and appreciation more than the other, the well-known musician or the homeless man?
We tell ourselves, the homeless man probably made some poor choices, so that gives us a reason to ignore them or be arrogant with them. Is there a wealthy man in the world who is perfect with no flaws?
Everyone is struggling with something, for some people it’s paying their bills on times, for others, it’s greed and deception. Is one weakness greater than the other? We’re all in the game of life trying to figure things out. Some of us are on the streets trying to find a job while others have the most prestigious jobs, but got there through deceiving people.
Let’s not prejudge others by putting ourselves on a pedestal of better or worse. Is life a competition? As long as life is a competition, there will always be a loser, hence there will always be someone left behind.
We are all one and we all come from the same source, which created the universe. Whatever you do for one person, you just helped everyone who is connected to that individual, as we are all interconnected in one way or another.
Let’s remove the labels and remember the most recognized scripture, “Love your brothers and sisters as you love yourself.” A person shouldn’t receive special treatment because of his or her appearance or wealth. If they get special treatment, it should be because they are good-hearted people. Anything else is not recognizing what truly matters in life.
Rather than reacting to our preconceived notions, let’s create a world where acceptance is determined by a person’s values, kind nature and needs, not physical attributes that are irrelevant to who we are.
Life Requires Experience
Life requires experience and challenges to help us to grow as individuals and for the expansion of the universe. All individual growth is ultimately for everyone on this planet as we are all interconnected in one way or another. So many people fight against this simple notion asking themselves why they must face challenges and adversities.
When events and circumstances don’t unfold in our favour, we begin to hate or even despise our challenges rather than understand them for what they are. These obstacles may be uncomfortable, but if we simply pull through, they become building blocks and opportunities for growth and expansion.
We should acknowledge the very process that allows us to delve deeper into our spiritual evolution and the evolution of humanity. We cannot grow if we’re already standing in a state of completion or perfection. Why do we try so hard to achieve perfection rather than enjoy the journey?
The world is an experience and a creation by every individual on this planet. Life requires contrast and experience and even the uncomfortable events and circumstances create desire, uniqueness and ultimately a journey.
Choices and evolution cannot exist without contrast and challenges. In this time space reality nothing remains static and everything points us towards our evolution and the evolution of humanity.
Completion and perfection doesn’t require experience, learning or remembering. This may be why every single time we have life figured out, something happens to help us to delve deeper into our evolution.
Every time we achieve a goal or dream, we have a new endeavour to pursue. Because life requires experience, learning and remembering and it’s never completed as we are always on a march to a greater self and humanity.
The goal shouldn’t be to avoid challenges and adversities, it should be to avoid complacency and to focus on expansion for ourselves and the universe. Let’s stop dreading our adversities and challenges and see them for what they are, a stepping stone to a greater life and universe.
Focus On You First
There’s nothing wrong with putting yourself first, since you cannot help others if you lose your alignment. How many people lose their balance if they do everything for others and they do nothing for themselves? People often become depressed if they neglect themselves in the process of trying to help or please everyone but themselves.
We need to keep a balance and do those things which allow us to be healthy physically, mentally and spiritually. Sometimes all that’s needed is a little time to unwind doing something that relieves stress and brings joy.
Stress is the number one factor in creating disease, so wouldn’t spending time unwinding be logical to remain healthy? Exhaustion is another reason people develop health conditions. Sometimes all that’s needed is more time distracting ourselves from everyday problems. How many people can you help if you’re not in alignment? And how much assistance can you be if you’re not in alignment?
You’ve been programmed to believe that sacrificing your happiness is the correct way to live, and the noble thing to do. You’ve been programmed to believe life is about helping and pleasing everyone but you. You’ve been pressuring yourself to believe there’s only one way to live.
Think a different thought such as how many people can I help if I am in alignment? You keep your balance by being spiritually connected since you’re a spiritual being who needs to remain connected to its source.
You remain healthy and ready to tackle your problems by keeping a healthy lifestyle through diet, exercise, and sleep. Most important it’s by being spiritually connected through meditation or prayer, or anything that allows us to connect to ourselves on a spiritual level.
Why have we concluded the noble thing to do is sacrifice our happiness for others? I understand there is a level of sacrifice that we should do for others, however, there is also balance. I understand many people have traumatic events in their lives with their loved ones, and they need to put more time and energy for their family or friends sake. But don’t make the mistake of neglecting balance, since there is always a little bit of time we can reserve for ourselves to recharge the battery, and live more meaningfully.
We have no control over others other than the influence we give them through the clarity of our example. We can pray for them, we can teach them, but ultimately it’s their life and choices. Focus on you first and then you’ll be in a much better place to make a difference in the world and in the lives of your loved ones.